Have you ever thought about what happens to your estate when you die? Do you wonder who will make important decisions on your behalf as you age, when you die, or if you become incapacitated or disabled? Who will take care of your children if you are no longer alive? At the Law Offices of Matthew Hart, we specialize in Estate Planning for Peace of Mind.
With our legal expertise, we create custom-tailored Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives. In the event of your incapacity or death, these well-crafted instruments of legal protection can ensure proper guardians are appointed to care for your children, seamlessly pass your estate to the people you choose, eliminate costly probate processes, protect your assets, and minimize or eliminate Estate Taxes.
With our legal expertise, we create custom-tailored Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives. In the event of your incapacity or death, these well-crafted instruments of legal protection can ensure proper guardians are appointed to care for your children, seamlessly pass your estate to the people you choose, eliminate costly probate processes, protect your assets, and minimize or eliminate Estate Taxes.
Services
Estate Planning is a general term which in a legal context refers to an attorney who focuses on helping clients manage their affairs and prepare for events such as incapacity or death. This planning allows the client to determine who will manage their money and health when they cannot because of incapacity.
Estate Planning for the Family: In this seminar we cover, why you and your family need an estate plan. We define: what is a will, what is a trust, what is an advanced health care directive, and what is a durable power of attorney. We cover common pitfalls in estate planning and what are the scams to be avoided.
For estate planning clients it is critical to provide us with all of the current estate information so that we can determine whether you need a trust and if you need a trust what kind of trust. Whenever our firm meets with couples there is a potential for conflicts between them. Therefore we are required by law to have you read and sign the conflict agreement which informs you of the potential for conflict.
What is the difference between a will and a trust? A will is a legal document that carries out your wishes upon death. Before your death, the will has no legal effect. The will only becomes effective upon death. Contrast that to a trust which can have effect upon execution and can continue to operate after your death.
Matthew Hart graduated from John F. Kennedy University School of Law in Pleasant Hill, California. He has been specializing in Estate Planning for his entire legal career. He is a California State Bar Certified Legal Specialist in. Matthew Hart is a licensed California Attorney. The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a final legal opinion.
Reviews (20)
Linda Quilici
Aug 05, 2021
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Excellent law office. It was recommended by my husband's cemetery director and it didn't disappoint. Mr. Hart is a specialist in estate planning and wills. Very helpful with concrete suggestions. Not only a pleasant experience but also very helpful during a stressful time of recent widowhood. I highly recommend the entire law office and staff.
Dan DellaChiesa
May 23, 2021
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Working with Matthew Hart's office was a very easy and truly professional experience. Matthew is very thorough in his approach to Estate Planning without making the process overwhelming or complicated. I would highly recommend anyone seeking information about Estate Planning to meet with him and go over their options and the process with him.
Julie
May 22, 2021
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Lit Technologies Llc
Apr 20, 2021
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Mr Hart took the time needed to explain to me the value and security of a trust and how it protects my loved ones from probate. He also explains next steps and what happens to my designations should I remarry.
Priced so that ANYONE can afford it. You owe it to yourself (peace of mind) to give Mr Hart a call.
Priced so that ANYONE can afford it. You owe it to yourself (peace of mind) to give Mr Hart a call.
Ed Ignacio
Mar 05, 2021
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Macahayes Hayes
Mar 02, 2021
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Had to deal with my parents estate a few years ago, their lawyer wasn't able to explain the complexities of their estate at a level I could understand.
Husband and I went to Matthew Hart for our planning and he went over the same options for estate planning my parents have and explained it clearly and succinctly. Husband and I walked out knowing what the planning entailed, how everything worked and what to expect when one of us passes.
I highly recommend him!
Husband and I went to Matthew Hart for our planning and he went over the same options for estate planning my parents have and explained it clearly and succinctly. Husband and I walked out knowing what the planning entailed, how everything worked and what to expect when one of us passes.
I highly recommend him!
Irene D.
Jan 14, 2021
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Amy Hilton
Oct 11, 2020
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Cheryl Gonzalez
Oct 07, 2020
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Karen H.
Aug 07, 2020
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Kathy Chang
Jun 16, 2020
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Mr. Hart is an expert in his field. In the process of creating the trust, he recommended various changes to minimize the estate taxes, which I was glad to adopt. He made the whole process easy to understand, clear and painless. He also gave me his take when I expressed desire to exit out retirement and go back to work. I took his advice seriously. I'd highly recommend him to anyone who is contemplating estate planning.
Amy H.
May 27, 2020
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Frances Perdew
May 25, 2020
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Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
Mr. Hart is very knowledgeable in estate planning and probate for the State of California. He is very professional and reasonably priced, and I particularly liked that he has taken the extra steps to become a specialist in his field of law. Highly recommend his services!
Mr. Hart is very knowledgeable in estate planning and probate for the State of California. He is very professional and reasonably priced, and I particularly liked that he has taken the extra steps to become a specialist in his field of law. Highly recommend his services!
Contessa C.
Jun 15, 2019
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Mr. Hart handled our Living Trust in a very professional and efficient manner. He listened carefully to what we wanted. I felt that he was much more thorough and knowledgeable than our previous attorney. His prices were very competitive and I felt that he gave us a lot of value for the cost. I'd recommend him to anyone needing an estate attorney.
Poua Y.
Sep 06, 2018
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Marlene L.
Jun 18, 2018
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I recently used the services of Matthew Hart for a will & living trust. After the recent death of my husband I was somewhat apprehensive of doing this on my own. Mr. Hart's fees were reasonable and I found both he & his staff to be very professional. He walked me through everything and I found the process went quickly and smoothly. I would definitely recommend Mr. Hart for your legal needs.
Paula B.
Dec 06, 2016
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I have used Matthew for my living trust and for business planning. My past dealing with attorneys has been mediocre to unpleasant. Matthew is top notch. He is professiona, very knowledgeable, quite reasonably priced, and generous in giving out his wisdom. I recommend him as first choice for wills, trusts, and medical directives.
As for the person who said Mathew couldn't work with toddler in office: I work with this age children and love them, but they do it belong in a business meeting. Jeesh!
As for the person who said Mathew couldn't work with toddler in office: I work with this age children and love them, but they do it belong in a business meeting. Jeesh!
Kirby N.
Aug 27, 2016
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I don't know how to give anyone less stars than this. Matt was unprofessional and lazy. We went with a fairly complex trust and he said I don't do this its too much work! He treated us like a couple of children acting like we were too stupid to understand that he was lazy and wasn't going do a thing that involved the slightest amount of work. We asked him to distribute money over time and he said we couldn't do that. When I challenged him and said I know you can because another lawyer told us we could. He then changed his story to well you can do that but I won't and make
Rick F.
Jun 23, 2016
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Finding a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and service oriented professional can be challenging however I have found that all of these characteristics define the Law Offices of Matthew Hart. Matthew and his Firm are very knowledgeable about all things trust, will, and probate related. Matthew is very trustworthy and honest. I have met with Matthew personally and referred him my clients and friends they have always returned to me impressed with Matthews integrity and feel that Matthew genuinely is looking out for their best interest. Finally Matthew is service oriented and cares about the experience
Brandon R.
Sep 01, 2012
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Mr. Hart is the perfect name for this man. He is very thoughtful and caring and detail oriented in everything he does.
He is also very up to date on issues in his field of practice. I heard him speak about estate planning and he said he has his clients put in writing what happens to all their online account like e-mail, ITunes, FaceBook... I never thought about this and neither do you if you choose Matthew Hart as your Attorney
He is also very up to date on issues in his field of practice. I heard him speak about estate planning and he said he has his clients put in writing what happens to all their online account like e-mail, ITunes, FaceBook... I never thought about this and neither do you if you choose Matthew Hart as your Attorney